Capital Lakefair pitches its tent today along Capitol Lake in Olympia, with all its debauchery, carnies, high school folks you'd rather not see, Demo Burgers, janky rides, over-priced games and the saving grace of it all - tons of music!

It was hard to decide what band to highlight this week because so many rad bands will perform. That said, I had to choose The Hard Way. First, they are playing the stage at Lakefair. (Awesome!) Second, The Hard Way are one of those bands that are a staple in Olympia - helping shape the music scene, always rocking no matter the weather, the mood or the crowd. They are true Oly talent - with Scott Taylor's nimble fingers and easy voice and the band's many influences that create a grungy, peaceful, angry, awesome, harmonic and psychedelic sound. See them live. It's like comfort food.

Thursday, you can catch the four-piece and their new line-up on the Lakefair stage, giving Olympia the rocking it deserves.

"We've undergone some changes in band personnel of late and have been re-vamping our sound and our set," said Taylor. "I am very excited about the new line-up and we're looking forward to hitting everyone right between the eyes with some really great stuff. Playing outside on a beautiful summer evening is pretty cool, too."

THE HARD WAY, Thursday, 9 p.m., Capital Lakefair Stage, 218 Franklin St., Olympia, free, website

Other shows around town during Lakefair

Wednesday

The B-Side Players and The Brown Edition (groove, funk), 9 p.m., Royal Lounge, 311 Capitol Way.

Thursday

The Mike Dillon Band and Slow Bunny (rock, funk), 9 p.m., all ages until 11 p.m., $6, Olympia Ballroom, 116 Legion Way. 

Mugen Hoso (Japan), The Mona Reels, Red Red Red (indie rock), 9 p.m., $5-$10, Le Voyeur, 404 Fourth Ave.

Friday

Morgan and the Organ Donors, Zachary Cale, Romanteek (indie), 9 p.m., $3-$5, Le Voyeur, 404 Fourth Ave. 

Wide Eye Panic, Malaki (LA), December in Red, The Fail Safe Project (rock), 9 p.m., $5, 4th Ave Tavern, 210 Fourth Ave.

Fitz of Depression, Kramer, Symptoms (rock), 10 p.m., $3, McCoy's Tavern, 418 Fourth Ave. 

Saturday

Ever So Android, Elbow Coulee, Fruit Juice (indie, dance) 8 p.m., $5, Track House, 511 Seventh Ave.

C-Average (last show ever!) Hellbelly, others (rock) 9 p.m., $5, McCoy's Tavern, 418 Fourth Ave. 

Sunday

Mosquito Hawk, Bison Bison, Vanguard!, The Have At Its, Boneshaker, others (rock) 3 p.m., free, Track House, 511 Seventh Ave.